Boys home faces financial challenges

If Glenn Springs Academy's financial situation doesn't change soon, the boys home could be closed by the end of the year, according to the chairman of the board of directors.

By FELICIA KITZMILLERfelicia.kitzmiller@shj.comIf Glenn Springs Academy's financial situation doesn't change soon, the boy's home could be close

If Glenn Springs Academy's financial situation doesn't change soon, the boys home could be closed by the end of the year, according to the chairman of the board of directors.Policy changes in the Department of Social Services since Gov. Nikki Haley took office have radically reduced the number of children in group homes across the state, said John Montgomery, Glenn Springs Academy board chairman.Combined with reduced reimbursement rates for the care of children in the foster system, Montgomery said the academy's reserves have dwindled dangerously low."If we can't increase our census or raise money, I worry we won't make it until the end of the year," Montgomery said.Glenn Springs Academy, formerly known as Spartanburg Boys Home, has provided for abandoned, neglected and abused boys ages 8 to 18 years old for 42 years, Montgomery said. They serve most of the Upstate, including Spartanburg, Greenville, Union and Cherokee counties. The group home is rated for about 40 boys, but typically had a head count of about 25. The last year and a half, however, it slipped to about 15, Montgomery said. The drop in population has meant a loss of revenue because the home's most substantial income is through per diem allocations from the state. Since the summer of 2011, the reimbursement rate is $97 per day.The policy of DSS and director Lillian Koller has shifted toward placing children who are abandoned or have to be removed from parental custody with family members or in foster care and away from group homes. Earlier this year, Ellen Hines Smith Girls Home merged with Children's Shelter of the Upstate for similar reasons. All operations have been moved to the campus of the Children's Shelter.Reimbursement rates for foster care services have been reduced several times in the past few years and are now at a level that state funding doesn't cover the costs incurred at Glenn Springs Academy, Montgomery said. In addition, the academy recently had to do some building and sewer repairs, which drained capital reserves, board member Katherine Fulmer said. "We've got everything in place; it's just a cash flow problem," she said.The school has taken a number of cost-cutting measures, including reducing staff, but it hasn't balanced the budget sheets. The school's annual fundraiser, Art and Oysters, was a success in April, and a new fundraiser, a fall mud run, garnered some revenue, but not enough to replace the missing state funding.The academy is investigating partnerships with other agencies that might need housing to put the cabin space to good use and generate revenue, if current DSS policies stay in place, Fulmer said."(Glenn Springs) is a special place in the Spartanburg community. And before we just close the doors, we need to think about what that means," Fulmer said.Glenn Springs Academy provides the boys in their care with academic support, life skills and career training. As a community volunteer serving on the board, Montgomery said he's worried about what will happen if places such as Glenn Springs Academy vanish across the state."In a perfect world, we wouldn't exist," Montgomery said. "… We provide a valuable service. If we go away, if we cease to exist, these boys are still out there, and what's going to happen to them? These boys need to be cared for."

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